White sticky stuff on pines

[Marc]

Hi all, a few years ago I had a black pine, very nice. then out of the blue, after several years, it developed this strange white fluffy sticky stuff on it, that i tried to control with regular pyrethrum, but to no avail, after about 2 years it died. Someone some where told me it was some thing called Pine Bark Adelgid (spelling??)

Now these days in some bonsai shops I see the same stuiff growing on some very nice specimens that I'd love to buy, however will not due to this white stuff on them. I thought it was not right shops selling sick trees.

However, did I do something wrong to lose my tree (granted i didn;t fill you in on my habits of looking after it), however, was it this white stuff that killed my pine? can it be gotton rid of?

am i worried about it for nothing? I heard it was able to spread from tree to tree, but other pines I had didn't get it, and till this day have not had it at all on them still, 4-5 years later?

Anyone know of this stuff??

[Jow]

Hard to tell without a picture but it could be spider mites... in which case you need a strong spray. Rogor and Clensol mixed together seems to get the job done.

[Marc]

Thanks Jow. I don't have the issue now, but spider mites, wouldn;t they look like spiders? this one was just white smudges of the stuff... Anyways, was wondering as when I see some nice specimens for sale with this, i get upset as I want to buy one now and then, but can;t bring myself to part with my hard earned on a tree that is potentially diseased.

[MelaQuin]

Could well be Wooly Pine Aphids. Use a strong jet of water to blast off as many as you can. Spray with a mixture of Malithon and Pest Oil. When the 10 day period is past after spraying then dust with Tomato Dust.

A bonsai mate is looking after a large and ancient pine tree that came to her yard severely afflicted with Wooly Pine Aphids. This treatment got rid of them and the tree is back to good health.